News & Events

The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) and Security Bank affiliate, SB Finance (SBF) Inc. officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), marking the beginning of a partnership aimed at enhancing the range of financial services and benefits available to the university's employees and staff.

The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to promoting employee financial wellness by offering responsible, transparent, and convenient financing options that support the personal and professional needs of faculty and staff.

During the signing ceremony, representatives from USJ-R and SB Finance highlighted the importance of financial resilience in today's economic landscape.

The University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) and MOIRASIA Foundation Inc. formally sealed a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that aims to expand scholarship opportunities for students, reaffirming their shared commitment to transforming lives through education.

Under the agreement, the USJ -R and MOIRASIA Foundation Inc. will implement the MOIRASIA Youth Excellence Scholarship (YES) Program, which seeks to provide educational opportunities to students who demonstrate academic potential and require financial support to pursue their studies. Through this partnership, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to making quality education more accessible and empowering young people to achieve their aspirations.

During the signing ceremony, Paolo Romano Garcia, Trustee of MOIRASIA Foundation Inc., shared the inspiration behind the foundation's mission of supporting students in pursuing higher education.

He emphasized that for many Filipino families, education is a significant financial sacrifice. Students often travel long distances, wake up before dawn, and overcome numerous challenges simply to attend classes, while parents work tirelessly to provide for tuition, transportation, and daily expenses.

"A scholarship may appear to be financial assistance to some, but for a student it means one more semester completed, one step closer to graduation, and one dream kept alive," Garcia said.

The University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) School of Education and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region VI and VII have formally entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to implement a literacy-centered extension program for an Indigenous community in the City of Naga, Cebu.

The partnership aims to expand educational opportunities and improve the quality of life of Indigenous families through community-based initiatives. The program will provide literacy sessions for children, distribute learning materials to support their education, conduct workshops for parents on environmental health, sanitation, livelihood, and homemaking, and strengthen collaboration with government agencies and partner organizations to ensure the program's sustainability.

The USJ-R School of Education will work closely with the University's Center for Recollect Community Engagement and Social Involvement (CRCESI), the NCIP Provincial Office, the City Government of Naga, and local barangay officials to implement the program based on the community's identified needs.

According to Dr. Vinchita Quinto, Dean of the USJ-R School of Education, the partnership reflects the University's commitment to Caritas et Scientia—Charity and Knowledge—by bringing education and service to underserved communities.

"This partnership provides an opportunity for the University to realize its vision of transforming communities through education and service," Quinto said.

She added that while the initiative is led by the School of Education, it is envisioned to grow into an institutional extension program where other academic units can contribute their expertise in future community development initiatives.

Implementation will begin with a Training Needs Analysis (TNA), allowing University and NCIP representatives to engage with community members and design responsive, sustainable interventions.

According to Atty. Princess May Acarde - Oral, Regional Director of NCIP Region VI and VII, the collaboration represents a significant step toward expanding educational opportunities for Indigenous communities.

"When private institutions collaborate with the government to provide educational opportunities, it will truly make a difference," Oral said.

The University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) has strengthened its position among the world's universities after improving its standing in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, reaffirming its commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Released on June 24, 2026, the latest THE Impact Rankings placed USJ-R in the 1001–1500 global band, marking an improvement from its previous performance and reinforcing the University's growing international recognition for sustainability, education, research, and community engagement.

Among USJ-R's strongest performances was Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water, where the University ranked in the 401+ bracket, reflecting its initiatives and contributions toward the conservation and sustainable use of marine and aquatic resources.

The University also improved its performance in SDG 4: Quality Education, placing in the 601–800 band in recognition of its commitment to providing inclusive, equitable, and quality education while promoting lifelong learning opportunities. Meanwhile, USJ-R earned a place in the 1001–1500 band for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, highlighting its continued collaboration with local, national, and international partners in advancing sustainable development.

Sixty-four Josenian nursing graduates officially received their nursing pins during the 18th Pinning Ceremony held at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, The Clean One.

The pinning ceremony marked the successful completion of the graduates' clinical exposure and recognized their dedication, perseverance, and growth throughout their clinical training. More than a celebration of academic achievement, it symbolizes their readiness to advance toward the next phase of their nursing profession while embracing the values of compassion, competence, and service.

In his message, Rev. Fr. Persuiz Joseph M. Decena, OAR, Vice President for Academics and Research, encouraged the graduates to see nursing not merely as a profession but as a lifelong vocation of service.

"Nursing will always be a vocation," Fr. Decena reminded the graduates, emphasizing that while many spend their lives pursuing success, true fulfillment comes from using one's talents to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

He explained that success alone does not give life its deepest meaning. Education becomes truly valuable when it equips individuals to help others learn, positions become worthwhile when they create opportunities to serve, and wealth becomes a blessing when it is shared generously. Likewise, talents become genuine gifts when they are used to improve the lives of patients and those in need.

"As you pursue excellence, do not stop there. Use your success to serve others, for that is the true meaning of your vocation," he said, reminding the graduates that while achievements may fade from memory, acts of compassion, encouragement, and care leave a lasting impact.

The University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) celebrated a momentous occasion as it conferred degrees upon 930 graduates during its 119th Commencement Exercises, recognizing the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and academic excellence.

Leading the academic honorees was Summa Cum Laude Suzanne Anne Kirshinne A. Susas, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree. In her commencement address, she reflected on the values that shaped her university journey—gratitude, perseverance, excellence, faith in God's plan, and belief in oneself.

She encouraged her fellow graduates to pursue excellence for God's greater glory, remain steadfast in the face of life's challenges, trust the process even amid uncertainty, and use their education to serve others. She likewise reminded the graduating class to uphold the University's core values of Interiority, Nationalism, Service, Pioneerism, Integrity, Reliability, and Excellence as they begin their respective careers.

The University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) continues to strengthen its commitment to student-athlete development through the support of private sector partners dedicated to advancing education and sports.

A ceremonial turnover was recently held on campus with representatives from 7Core Communications, Inc. and MaxPrint Enterprises, highlighting a shared vision of providing opportunities that enable student-athletes to excel both academically and athletically.

7Core Communications, Inc., represented by its President, Mr. Cloyd Bere Dedicatoria, extended support to the university’s basketball program. The assistance was formally received by USJ-R President Rev. Fr. Eduardo S. Celiz, Jr., OAR.

The support will primarily provide scholarship assistance for deserving student-athletes for the 2026–2027 academic year, covering tuition and miscellaneous fees. It will also help fund honorarium subsidies for coaches and provide basketball uniforms, shoes, training equipment, and other essential athletic resources.

Through this initiative, USJ-R aims to further strengthen its Basketball Grassroots Cadet Program while promoting athletic excellence, leadership formation, and community engagement among its student-athletes.

The University of San Jose – Recoletos (USJ-R), through its Center for Recollect Community Engagement and Social Involvement (CRCESI) in collaboration with the School of Engineering and Architecture, officially launched “Energy ni San Jose,” an innovative hybrid solar-powered energy station designed to provide reliable electricity and internet connectivity during times of disaster and emergency.

The project reflects the University's commitment to community development, disaster resilience, and environmental sustainability. Equipped with a solar panel system, the mobile energy station can serve as an emergency power source in areas affected by calamities where electricity and communication services are disrupted.

“Energy ni San Jose” features charging ports that enable community members to charge their mobile phones and other essential devices. In addition, the unit provides internet connectivity, allowing residents to access information, communicate with family members, and coordinate emergency responses during critical situations.

A total of 147 Juris Doctor graduates were formally conferred their degrees during the Commencement Exercises held at the Recoletos Coliseum. The ceremony marked another milestone for the University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R), which has been offering its law program for almost seven decades, producing generations of legal professionals committed to service, justice, and excellence.

In her commencement address, Class 2026 Cum Laude Destinee A. Noor shared her own meaning of the word “BAR”—Believe and Bravery, Aspire and Accountability, and Resilience.

Noor encouraged her fellow graduates to believe in themselves as they prepare for the Bar Examinations and to remain courageous in upholding truth and defending the unheard. She also urged them to aspire for growth and purpose while staying accountable and grounded in humility.

Reflecting on their law school journey, Noor emphasized the importance of resilience, reminding her classmates that despite challenges and setbacks, they have proven their ability to overcome difficult mountains.

The graduates now move forward to the next stage of their legal careers, carrying with them the values of belief, bravery, aspiration, accountability, and resilience